Stephen Boyte (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Contributions to the development of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Sagebrush Conservation Strategy
USGS scientists are contributing to the development of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Sagebrush Conservation Strategy, a strategy intended to provide guidance so that efforts to conserve the iconic greater sage-grouse can be expanded to the entire sagebrush biome to benefit the people and wildlife that depend on it.
Drought Monitoring Datasets Available as OGC Web Map Services (WMS)
Web Services The Drought Monitoring datasets are available as OGC Web Map Services (WMS). You can access the services using the below links.
Modeling Effects of Climate Change on Cheatgrass Die-Off Areas in the Northern Great Basin
Cheatgrass began invading the Great Basin about 100 years ago, changing large parts of the landscape from a rich, diverse ecosystem to one where a single invasive species dominates. Cheatgrass dominated areas experience more fires that burn more land than in native ecosystems, resulting in economic and resource losses. Therefore, the reduced production, or absence, of cheatgrass in...
Filter Total Items: 30
Modelled long-term wildfire occurrence probabilities in sagebrush-dominated ecosystems in the western US (1985 to 2019) Modelled long-term wildfire occurrence probabilities in sagebrush-dominated ecosystems in the western US (1985 to 2019)
Exotic annual grasses are one of the most damaging biological stressors in western North America and increase the susceptibility of landscapes to wildfire occurrence. Here we couple estimates of long-term rangeland component fractions (e.g. exotic annual grasses) with remote sensing, climate data, and machine learning techniques to estimate the long-term (1985 to 2019) probability of...
Historic and future trends in exotic annual grass (%) cover in the western US (1985 to 2019 and 2025 to 2040) Historic and future trends in exotic annual grass (%) cover in the western US (1985 to 2019 and 2025 to 2040)
Exotic annual grasses [EAG] are one of the most damaging biological stressors in western North America. Despite numerous environmental and societal impacts associated with EAG there remains a need to enhance regional monitoring capabilities to better guide management and conservation efforts. Here we provide estimates of historic and potential future trends in EAG abundance that were...
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2025 Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2025
We provide fractional cover estimates for exotic annual grass (EAG) species and one native perennial grass species on a weekly basis from mid-April to late June 2025. The cover estimates reflect actual conditions of the previous week and are released in an expedited manner, within 7-13 days of the latest satellite observation used for that weekly prediction. Each weekly release contains...
Weekly Changes of Exotic Annual Grasses (EAG) abundance in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2024 Weekly Changes of Exotic Annual Grasses (EAG) abundance in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2024
These datasets provide weekly differences of early estimates of 2024 fractional cover for exotic annual grass (EAG) that were released from April to late June. The EAG estimates were publicly released within 7-13 days of the latest satellite observation used for that version. Each weekly release contained five fractional cover maps along with their corresponding confidence maps for: 1) a...
Cheatgrass and Medusahead annual Phenology extraction in Snake River Plain and Northern Basin and Range Cheatgrass and Medusahead annual Phenology extraction in Snake River Plain and Northern Basin and Range
Phenological dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems reflect the response of the Earth's vegetation canopy to changes in climate and hydrology and are thus important to monitor operationally. The cheatgrass and medusahead phenology in the Snake River Plain (SRP) and Northern Basin and Range (NBR) based on 30m near seamless Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS) Normalized Difference...
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2024 Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2024
These datasets provide early estimates of 2024 fractional cover for exotic annual grass (EAG) species and one native perennial grass species on a weekly basis from April to late June. Typically, the EAG estimates are publicly released within 7-13 days of the latest satellite observation used for that version. Each weekly release contains five fractional cover maps along with their...
Filter Total Items: 24
Differentiating cheatgrass and medusahead phenological characteristics in western United States rangelands Differentiating cheatgrass and medusahead phenological characteristics in western United States rangelands
Expansions in the extent and infestation levels of exotic annual grass (EAG) within the rangelands of the western United States are well documented. Land managers are tasked with developing plans to limit EAG spread and prevent irreversible ecosystem deterioration. The most common EAG species and the subject of extensive study is Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass). Cheatgrass has spread...
Authors
Trenton Benedict, Stephen P. Boyte, Devendra Dahal
Predicting exotic annual grass abundance in rangelands of the western United States using various precipitation scenarios Predicting exotic annual grass abundance in rangelands of the western United States using various precipitation scenarios
Expansion of exotic annual grass (EAG), such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae [L.] Nevski), could cause irreversible changes to arid and semiarid rangeland ecosystems in the western United States. The distribution and abundance of EAG species are highly affected by weather variables such as temperature and precipitation. The study's goal is to
Authors
Devendra Dahal, Stephen P. Boyte, Michael Oimoen
Using seasonal climate scenarios in the ForageAhead annual forage production model for early drought impact assessment Using seasonal climate scenarios in the ForageAhead annual forage production model for early drought impact assessment
High interannual variability of forage production in semiarid grasslands leads to uncertainties when livestock producers make decisions, such as buying additional feed, relocating animals, or using flexible stocking. Within-season predictions of annual forage production (i.e., yearly production) can provide specific boundaries for producers to make these decisions with more information...
Authors
Marketa Podebradska, Bruce K. Wylie, Michael Hayes, Deborah J. Bathke, Yared A. Bayissa, Stephen P. Boyte, Jesslyn Brown, Brian D. Wardlow
Biophysical drivers for predicting the distribution and abundance of invasive yellow sweetclover in the Northern Great Plains Biophysical drivers for predicting the distribution and abundance of invasive yellow sweetclover in the Northern Great Plains
Context Yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis; YSC) is an invasive biennial legume that bloomed across the Northern Great Plains in 2018–2019 in response to above-average precipitation. YSC can increase nitrogen (N) levels and potentially cause substantial changes in the composition of native plant species communities. There is little knowledge of the spatiotemporal variability and...
Authors
Sakshi Saraf, Ranjeet John, Reza Amirkhiz, Venkatesh Kolluru, Khushboo Jain, Matthew Rigge, Vincenzo Giannico, Stephen P. Boyte, Jiquan Chen, Geoffrey Henebry, Meghann Jarchow, Raffaele Lafortezza
Extracting exotic annual grass phenology and climate relations in western U.S. rangeland ecoregions Extracting exotic annual grass phenology and climate relations in western U.S. rangeland ecoregions
This research builds upon the extensive body of work to model exotic annual grass (EAG) characteristics and invasion. EAGs increase wildland fire risk and intensifies wildland fire behavior in western U.S. rangelands. Therefore, understanding characteristics of EAG growth increases understanding of its dynamics and can inform rangeland management decisions. To better understand EAG...
Authors
Trenton Benedict, Stephen P. Boyte, Devendra Dahal, Dinesh Shrestha, Sujan Parajuli, Logan Megard
Multi-species inference of exotic annual and native perennial grasses in rangelands of the western United States using Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 data Multi-species inference of exotic annual and native perennial grasses in rangelands of the western United States using Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 data
The invasion of exotic annual grass (EAG), e.g., cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), into rangeland ecosystems of the western United States is a broad-scale problem that affects wildlife habitats, increases wildfire frequency, and adds to land management costs. However, identifying individual species of EAG abundance from remote sensing, particularly...
Authors
Devendra Dahal, Neal Pastick, Stephen P. Boyte, Sujan Parajuli, Michael Oimoen, Logan Megard
Science and Products
Contributions to the development of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Sagebrush Conservation Strategy
USGS scientists are contributing to the development of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Sagebrush Conservation Strategy, a strategy intended to provide guidance so that efforts to conserve the iconic greater sage-grouse can be expanded to the entire sagebrush biome to benefit the people and wildlife that depend on it.
Drought Monitoring Datasets Available as OGC Web Map Services (WMS)
Web Services The Drought Monitoring datasets are available as OGC Web Map Services (WMS). You can access the services using the below links.
Modeling Effects of Climate Change on Cheatgrass Die-Off Areas in the Northern Great Basin
Cheatgrass began invading the Great Basin about 100 years ago, changing large parts of the landscape from a rich, diverse ecosystem to one where a single invasive species dominates. Cheatgrass dominated areas experience more fires that burn more land than in native ecosystems, resulting in economic and resource losses. Therefore, the reduced production, or absence, of cheatgrass in...
Filter Total Items: 30
Modelled long-term wildfire occurrence probabilities in sagebrush-dominated ecosystems in the western US (1985 to 2019) Modelled long-term wildfire occurrence probabilities in sagebrush-dominated ecosystems in the western US (1985 to 2019)
Exotic annual grasses are one of the most damaging biological stressors in western North America and increase the susceptibility of landscapes to wildfire occurrence. Here we couple estimates of long-term rangeland component fractions (e.g. exotic annual grasses) with remote sensing, climate data, and machine learning techniques to estimate the long-term (1985 to 2019) probability of...
Historic and future trends in exotic annual grass (%) cover in the western US (1985 to 2019 and 2025 to 2040) Historic and future trends in exotic annual grass (%) cover in the western US (1985 to 2019 and 2025 to 2040)
Exotic annual grasses [EAG] are one of the most damaging biological stressors in western North America. Despite numerous environmental and societal impacts associated with EAG there remains a need to enhance regional monitoring capabilities to better guide management and conservation efforts. Here we provide estimates of historic and potential future trends in EAG abundance that were...
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2025 Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2025
We provide fractional cover estimates for exotic annual grass (EAG) species and one native perennial grass species on a weekly basis from mid-April to late June 2025. The cover estimates reflect actual conditions of the previous week and are released in an expedited manner, within 7-13 days of the latest satellite observation used for that weekly prediction. Each weekly release contains...
Weekly Changes of Exotic Annual Grasses (EAG) abundance in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2024 Weekly Changes of Exotic Annual Grasses (EAG) abundance in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2024
These datasets provide weekly differences of early estimates of 2024 fractional cover for exotic annual grass (EAG) that were released from April to late June. The EAG estimates were publicly released within 7-13 days of the latest satellite observation used for that version. Each weekly release contained five fractional cover maps along with their corresponding confidence maps for: 1) a...
Cheatgrass and Medusahead annual Phenology extraction in Snake River Plain and Northern Basin and Range Cheatgrass and Medusahead annual Phenology extraction in Snake River Plain and Northern Basin and Range
Phenological dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems reflect the response of the Earth's vegetation canopy to changes in climate and hydrology and are thus important to monitor operationally. The cheatgrass and medusahead phenology in the Snake River Plain (SRP) and Northern Basin and Range (NBR) based on 30m near seamless Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS) Normalized Difference...
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2024 Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2024
These datasets provide early estimates of 2024 fractional cover for exotic annual grass (EAG) species and one native perennial grass species on a weekly basis from April to late June. Typically, the EAG estimates are publicly released within 7-13 days of the latest satellite observation used for that version. Each weekly release contains five fractional cover maps along with their...
Filter Total Items: 24
Differentiating cheatgrass and medusahead phenological characteristics in western United States rangelands Differentiating cheatgrass and medusahead phenological characteristics in western United States rangelands
Expansions in the extent and infestation levels of exotic annual grass (EAG) within the rangelands of the western United States are well documented. Land managers are tasked with developing plans to limit EAG spread and prevent irreversible ecosystem deterioration. The most common EAG species and the subject of extensive study is Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass). Cheatgrass has spread...
Authors
Trenton Benedict, Stephen P. Boyte, Devendra Dahal
Predicting exotic annual grass abundance in rangelands of the western United States using various precipitation scenarios Predicting exotic annual grass abundance in rangelands of the western United States using various precipitation scenarios
Expansion of exotic annual grass (EAG), such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae [L.] Nevski), could cause irreversible changes to arid and semiarid rangeland ecosystems in the western United States. The distribution and abundance of EAG species are highly affected by weather variables such as temperature and precipitation. The study's goal is to
Authors
Devendra Dahal, Stephen P. Boyte, Michael Oimoen
Using seasonal climate scenarios in the ForageAhead annual forage production model for early drought impact assessment Using seasonal climate scenarios in the ForageAhead annual forage production model for early drought impact assessment
High interannual variability of forage production in semiarid grasslands leads to uncertainties when livestock producers make decisions, such as buying additional feed, relocating animals, or using flexible stocking. Within-season predictions of annual forage production (i.e., yearly production) can provide specific boundaries for producers to make these decisions with more information...
Authors
Marketa Podebradska, Bruce K. Wylie, Michael Hayes, Deborah J. Bathke, Yared A. Bayissa, Stephen P. Boyte, Jesslyn Brown, Brian D. Wardlow
Biophysical drivers for predicting the distribution and abundance of invasive yellow sweetclover in the Northern Great Plains Biophysical drivers for predicting the distribution and abundance of invasive yellow sweetclover in the Northern Great Plains
Context Yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis; YSC) is an invasive biennial legume that bloomed across the Northern Great Plains in 2018–2019 in response to above-average precipitation. YSC can increase nitrogen (N) levels and potentially cause substantial changes in the composition of native plant species communities. There is little knowledge of the spatiotemporal variability and...
Authors
Sakshi Saraf, Ranjeet John, Reza Amirkhiz, Venkatesh Kolluru, Khushboo Jain, Matthew Rigge, Vincenzo Giannico, Stephen P. Boyte, Jiquan Chen, Geoffrey Henebry, Meghann Jarchow, Raffaele Lafortezza
Extracting exotic annual grass phenology and climate relations in western U.S. rangeland ecoregions Extracting exotic annual grass phenology and climate relations in western U.S. rangeland ecoregions
This research builds upon the extensive body of work to model exotic annual grass (EAG) characteristics and invasion. EAGs increase wildland fire risk and intensifies wildland fire behavior in western U.S. rangelands. Therefore, understanding characteristics of EAG growth increases understanding of its dynamics and can inform rangeland management decisions. To better understand EAG...
Authors
Trenton Benedict, Stephen P. Boyte, Devendra Dahal, Dinesh Shrestha, Sujan Parajuli, Logan Megard
Multi-species inference of exotic annual and native perennial grasses in rangelands of the western United States using Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 data Multi-species inference of exotic annual and native perennial grasses in rangelands of the western United States using Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 data
The invasion of exotic annual grass (EAG), e.g., cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), into rangeland ecosystems of the western United States is a broad-scale problem that affects wildlife habitats, increases wildfire frequency, and adds to land management costs. However, identifying individual species of EAG abundance from remote sensing, particularly...
Authors
Devendra Dahal, Neal Pastick, Stephen P. Boyte, Sujan Parajuli, Michael Oimoen, Logan Megard